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Multi-Boy
Score: 80%
Developer: Blaze
Device Type: Accessory


Function:

The Multi-Boy is a serious upgrade to the classic Light-Boy for the old Game Boys. In addition to the magnifier and light that the original offered, the Multi-Boy has two speakers that plug into the headphone plugs on the bottom of the Game Boy and a snap-on controller deal that replaces the thumbpad with a joystick of sorts and makes the B and A buttons larger. The light and the speakers are toggleable, and the whole deal takes two AA batteries. It?s pretty easy to snap on both parts, and there?s a little runner on the side that holds the cord that goes from the plugs in the headphone jack to the speakers on the magnifier-and-light assembly.

Performance:

Uh, snap on and go. You?ll have to play with your volume to get it to not spit out feedback, but it?s not exactly a difficult proposition. The headphone plugs go in easy, and the whole thing snaps on without a hitch.

Overall, the Multi-Boy is excellent at a few things and just mediocre at others. The magnification and light are very, very handy, considering that the GBP is not back-lit. The speakers are alright, but if you turn them up any appreciable amount, the feedback starts to get intolerable. It?s an improvement over the tinny, built-in speakers, but not by much. The control pad and button snap-on is a mixed bag as well. The enlarged buttons are very, very nice, making the mashing in action games even better. The joystick that sits on top of the cross-pad is a different story. In action games, it works fine, and the concept is really good -- your thumb sits in a sort of cup at the top and you just push your thumb in the direction you want to move. In games that require a finer control, however, like puzzle games, you?ll find that you?ll overshoot your goal because the little micro-switches that push down the cross-pad are just too sensitive or not sensitive enough. Murphy?s Law prevails, of course.


Features:
  • Game light to make screen visible in any condition
  • Magnifier to make screen bigger
  • Speakers to amplify sound
  • Enhanced snap-on controls (replace cross-pad and B and A buttons)

Drawbacks & Problems::

The speaker cord gets in the way of how I hold my Game Boy, little runner or no. It?s somewhat bothersome, and I often end up just unplugging it and not using the speakers at all. The cross-pad is also sometimes too flaky for high-precision games, but for shooters and such, it?s perfect. All in all, the Multi-Boy is a sound investment, even if you primarily just use the light and the magnifier. The other stuff can come in handy if the game permits as well.

-Sunfall to-Ennien, GameVortex Communications
AKA Phil Bordelon

GameBoy Color/Pocket Care Case GameBoy Color/Pocket Protector

 
Game Vortex :: PSIllustrated